A DEFENCELESS baby fighting for life is a sight no parent should have to witness.
That’s is the opinion of Kilmore resident Sarah Nolan, after she was forced to look on helplessly after her baby Evie came into contact with whooping cough while still in hospital, just days after birth.
Whooping cough wasn't something the Nolans knew a lot about.
“It was horrifying, so scary to see my baby coughing, not breathing or gasping for air. I don’t wish for anyone to have to go through that," Sarah said.
Whooping cough, or Pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract.
Evie was originally diagnosed with bronchiolitis but within a week it became apparent it was something more serious.
It took three visits to the Royal Childrens Hospital Emergency Department before Evie was eventually admitted and treated.
“Twice Evie was sent home, but mother’s instinct told me something was wrong.
“When we presented for a third time we knew how serious things were when one of the nurses from a previous visit became apologetic for letting them turn her away.”
Within hours Evie was in intensive care, before spending two weeks in isolation with a parent permanently by her side as she battled bravely to overcome a worrying start to life.
“I was told I saved her life by bringing her back when I did - hard to think that if we stayed at home Evie might not be with us today.”
Whooping cough can start with similar symptoms to a common cold.
It is spread very easily through airborne droplets, and one breath is enough to infect.
It’s not uncommon for vomiting to occur and as the cough develops it can leave a patient gasping for breath, making a “whoop” like noise.
Some babies may not cough at all, but simply stop breathing for periods of time.
"You feel so helpless,” Sarah said.
“Evie coughed uncontrollably until she’d turned blue and constantly required extra oxygen to regain breath.
“All I could do was sit her up, pat her back and hold a mask to her tiny face during each coughing episode" Sarah said.
Sarah said that some of Evie’s most intense coughing “episodes” lasted up to 30 minutes.
Newborn babies do not receive vaccination for whooping cough until eight weeks of age, meaning in Evie’s case, she had no hope of dodging a potentially fatal situation.
One in every 200 babies under six months old who catch whooping cough will die, and some will suffer ongoing disability from brain and lung damage.
“We’re one of the lucky ones, many families don’t get the outcome we did. Initially there was talk of possible ongoing complications with her lungs but thankfully as she now approaches her second birthday there are no signs of such issues.
“She’s a very healthy, strong little girl”
Sarah knows that vaccination is a controversial subject in Australia at present, but she is adamant that unless you’re faced with this potentially fatal condition first hand, you’ll never truly understand the serious nature of it.
“Two other babies in the same ward as Evie also came into contact with the disease within days of being born.
“With many mixed feelings at the time it was difficult, but as soon as Evie got better I thought the best way to channel my emotion in a constructive way is to help push the awareness side of the issue" Sarah said.
Determined to learn more about the disease, Sarah began browsing the internet and found several support networks where parents counselled each other about their experiences.
It was during this time she came into contact with Dianne Cherrie, a mother who watched her five-week old baby also battle whooping cough.
At this weekend’s Pregnancy, Babies Children Expo in Melbourne, Sarah and Dianne will continue their awareness crusade with an exhibit.
For three days (Friday to Sunday) they’ll be at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (Jeff’s Shed) where they hope to spread the importance of the vaccination message.
They have also have gained the support of key health authorities, and with thanks to volunteer nurses, vaccinations will be available at the Expo.
Free vaccination against whooping cough is available to all parents, adoptive parents and foster parents of newborn babies until June 30 next year,
Those vaccinated as a child may no longer be protected, as the immunity the vaccine provides fades after six to ten years.
“There are a lot of anti-vaccination people out there and that’s entirely their prerogative.
“I’m sure if those same people witnessed first hand what we did then attitudes might change somewhat,” Evie’s father Chris said
“Accidents do happen but I also think I’d be uncomfortable knowing I’d infected someone if it could’ve been avoided.”
“Our message is simple. Vaccinate your children on time and please help to protect our most vulnerable newborn babies by seriously considering a vaccination booster today,” Sarah said.
Further information about whooping cough can be obtained at <www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation>.
